CLEAN WATER EXPLOITATION

In the second Chapter of the letter, Pope Francis goes into water pollution, exploitation of water and the basic necessity of clean water:

“Other indicators of the present situation have to do with the depletion of natural resources. We all know that it is not possible to sustain the present level of consumption in developed countries and wealthier sectors of society, where the habit of wasting and discarding has reached unprecedented levels The exploitation of the planet has already exceeded acceptable limits and we still have not solved the problem of poverty”

Chapter 2 The issue of water (27)

Exploitation occurs in our Common Home on an everyday basis. We as a society exploit trees, sand, fossil fuels and most importantly clean water. Clean water is a necessity that we all require equally. Some countries such as Africa will reach water poverty for 250,000,000 people by 2020, meanwhile, some developed parts of the world wastewater every day for a GREEN lawn.

QUALITY OF WATER

“One particularly serious problem is the quality of water available to the poor. Every day, unsafe water results in many deaths and the spread of water-related diseases, including those caused by microorganisms and chemical substances.” Chapter 2 The issue of water (29)

Worldwide approximately a hundred and forty million people a year will develop a water-related disease such as Cholera and Dysentery. Clean water and better sanitation would prevent most of these diseases for the poor. Another threat to our underground water supply and oceans is water pollution. There are hypoxic zones in our oceans and large bodies of water. These “Dead Zones” are depleting our marine life by extremely low oxygen levels from chemical runoff.

CONTAMINATED WATER SOURCES

“Underground water sources in many places are threatened by the pollution produced in certain mining, farming and industrial activities, especially in countries lacking adequate regulation or controls” Chapter 2 The issue of water (29)

Permaculture that uses no chemicals is the solution that our common home is crying for. Runoff from these Industrial Agriculture Farms containing chemical filled fertilizer and insecticides that are polluting our underground water supplies. Underground water sources such as reservoirs, creeks, rivers, streams, wells, ponds, and lakes. These sources are where we get our drinking water from. Federal subsidies and lack of regulations make it hard for farmers to convert to a form of Sustainable Agriculture. Sustainable Agriculture such as Permaculture would not pollute as well as produce a higher quality of yields.

PRIVATION OF OUR COMMON HOME WATER

“Even as the quality of available water is constantly diminishing, in some places there is a growing tendency, despite its scarcity, to privatize this resource, turning it into a commodity subject to the laws of the market”Chapter 2 The issue of water (30)

There are currently no strict regulations on what is in our water supply however, there is a profit margin. Our Common Home water supply is a natural resource and a basic necessity for all. Water privation causes an absorbent increase in the price of “clean” water, that once was natural and abundant.

CLEAN WATER AWARENESS

“Water continues to be wasted, not only in the developed world but also in developing countries which possess it in abundance. This shows that the problem of water is partly an educational and cultural issue since there is little awareness of the seriousness of such behaviour within a context of great inequality.” Chapter 2 The issue of water (30)

Awareness and education of our clean water supply is the first step to change in society and behaviour. In most of the world we can go to our kitchen faucet we can turn the handle and out comes water. Every time we go to that sink there is no doubt that when we turn that handle an “endless supply” of water will be provided. Most of society have lost the appreciation and respect of that “endless supply” of our natural resource. The clean water just runs down the drain. There’s no afterthought that I am wasting this resource that many don’t or will lose access to. Hence as we continue to waste more and more people will be subject to water poverty.

Please, I ask everyone, every time you go to that faucet ask yourself:

Am I wasting our common home clean water supply?
How can I make a difference?